Country profile

Western Sahara: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

Western Sahara is best read in the Nomadino comparison through the lens of everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as safety, stability and risk exposure. The current data points to a challenging overall picture; its strongest main categories are Costs and Safety & Risk, while Personal Services, Vacation Costs and Food & Basic Goods stand out at topic level. Before making a decision, check residence, visas and settling abroad as well as social freedom, participation and openness more closely, because the largest deductions come from Food & Culinary Culture, Arts & Entertainment and Basic Infrastructure & Logistics.

Overall rating 43.53 points
Global rank Rank 210 globally
Continental rank Rank 45 in Africa

View main country ranking

Decision areas

The following entry points link directly to detailed articles that are especially relevant for relocation, longer stays, daily life and travel planning.

Key questions about Western Sahara

Why is Western Sahara especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as safety, stability and risk exposure; its strongest main categories are Costs and Safety & Risk.

Which topics stand out positively for Western Sahara?

Personal Services, Vacation Costs and Food & Basic Goods show the strongest topic-level results.

What should be checked before making a decision?

residence, visas and settling abroad as well as social freedom, participation and openness deserve closer attention; the largest deductions come from Food & Culinary Culture, Arts & Entertainment and Basic Infrastructure & Logistics.

How important is lower-cost living and longer stays for Western Sahara?

The detailed articles below help check whether the rating fits residence, work, costs, healthcare, safety or travel.

Strengths and weaknesses

This section only shows categories, topic areas and indicators where Western Sahara ranks in the top three or bottom three globally or continentally and shares the same score with no more than two other countries. Global ranks take priority over continental ranks.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Comparisons and related countries

Western Sahara is especially useful to compare with United States, Portugal and Spain, because those countries sit closer to its overall rating profile. Denmark and Germany work as contrast comparisons when everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as safety, stability and risk exposure need to be weighed against different priorities; residence, visas and settling abroad as well as social freedom, participation and openness still deserve closer attention.

Static comparisons

All ratings and indicators for Western Sahara

58 topic areas and 342 indicators are linked directly in the static HTML. Categories and topic areas are collapsed to keep the country profile easy to scan.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Safety & Risk ShowHide

Safety & Crime

6 indicators

63
/ 100
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Homicide Rate
Rank 103 globally 89
Petty Crime Index
Rank 139 globally 50
Women's Safety
Rank 181 globally 42
Organized Crime
Rank 163 globally 44
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 176 globally 60
BAC Limit (โ€ฐ)
Rank 1 globally 100
65
/ 100
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Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 189 globally 62
Political Violence
Rank 173 globally 65
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 192 globally 56
Terrorism Risk
Rank 130 globally 98

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

71
/ 100
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Flood Risk
Rank 30 globally 76
Storm Risk
Rank 104 globally 76
Earthquake Risk
Rank 33 globally 89
Drought Risk
Rank 227 globally 10
Wildfire Risk
Rank 31 globally 84
Landslide Risk
Rank 30 globally 79
Tsunami Risk
Rank 92 globally 72
Volcano Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

35
/ 100
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State Surveillance
Rank 183 globally 38
Internet Censorship
Rank 179 globally 41
Internet Freedom
Rank 195 globally 33
Data Protection Laws
Rank 219 globally 19
VPN Access
Rank 196 globally 35
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 178 globally 49
30
/ 100
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Rule of Law
Rank 204 globally 27
Property Rights Security
Rank 199 globally 28
Corruption Perception
Rank 160 globally 33
Police Effectiveness
Rank 189 globally 39
Expropriation Risk
Rank 208 globally 17
Extradition Risk
Rank 116 globally 44

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

36
/ 100
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Political Stability
Rank 199 globally 35
Economic Resilience
Rank 204 globally 39
Government Efficiency
Rank 196 globally 35
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 191 globally 32
โค๏ธ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

30
/ 100
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Healthcare Quality
Rank 212 globally 28
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 201 globally 38
Emergency Care
Rank 212 globally 28
Medicine Access
Rank 206 globally 34
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 210 globally 28
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 224 globally 6
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 205 globally 31
Doctor Density
Rank 173 globally 18
Hospital Beds
Rank 178 globally 20
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 190 globally 58
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 38 globally 79
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 207 globally 20

Environmental Health

6 indicators

51
/ 100
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Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 92 globally 78
Noise Pollution
Rank 67 globally 62
UV Radiation
Rank 136 globally 25
Tap Water Safety
Rank 164 globally 58
Sanitation
Rank 192 globally 30
Waste Management
Rank 135 globally 32
53
/ 100
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Life Expectancy
Rank 156 globally 60
Infectious Diseases
Rank 104 globally 76
Obesity Rate
Rank 133 globally 68
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 172 globally 27
Mental Health
Rank 226 globally 36
Suicide Rate
Rank 186 globally 43
Maternal Mortality
Rank 201 globally 26
Vaccination Rate
Rank 211 globally 63
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 73 globally 73
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 127 globally 76
๐Ÿ’ธ Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

73
/ 100
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Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 36 globally 93
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 166 globally 40
Social Security Burden
Rank 122 globally 71
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 94 globally 56
Capital Gains Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Dividend Tax Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Inheritance / Estate Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Territorial Tax System
Rank 92 globally 44
Tax Filing Effort (hours/year)
Rank 118 globally 64
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 189 globally 1
27
/ 100
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Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 220 globally 35
Capital Market Depth
Rank 223 globally 24
Business Credit Access
Rank 223 globally 20
Investor Protection
Rank 208 globally 25
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 219 globally 21
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 208 globally 48
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 218 globally 25
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 225 globally 14

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

29
/ 100
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Expat Banking Ease
Rank 223 globally 8
Banking Stability
Rank 228 globally 10
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 209 globally 54
Fintech Development
Rank 227 globally 2
ATM Availability
Rank 218 globally 16
Banking Secrecy Index
Rank 220 globally 28
Automatic Tax Information Exchange
Rank 15 globally 93
Cash Transaction Limit
Rank 1 globally 100

Bitcoin & Crypto

6 indicators

21
/ 100
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Crypto Adoption
Rank 221 globally 8
Crypto Regulation
Rank 220 globally 17
Legal Status
Rank 219 globally 14
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 217 globally 4
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 214 globally 3

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

42
/ 100
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Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 199 globally 10
Transaction Costs
Rank 215 globally 32
Affordability
Rank 2 globally 95
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 220 globally 18
41
/ 100
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Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 176 globally 25
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 131 globally 59
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 220 globally 35
Days to Register a Company
Rank 138 globally 48

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

56
/ 100
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GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 215 globally 19
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 131 globally 84
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 44 globally 78
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 168 globally 70
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 222 globally 30
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 24 globally 98
Central Bank Independence
Rank 213 globally 35
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 179 globally 35
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 161 globally 60
26
/ 100
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Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 178 globally 15
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 186 globally 13
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 226 globally 10
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 155 globally 69
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 166 globally 45
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 149 globally 27
๐Ÿ  Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

78
/ 100
ShowHide
City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 34 globally 65
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 57 globally 72
Electricity Cost
Rank 73 globally 81
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 101 globally 97
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 51 globally 98

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

91
/ 100
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Milk Price per Liter
Rank 19 globally 88
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 13 globally 96
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 33 globally 89
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 28 globally 88
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 36 globally 81
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 22 globally 96
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 26 globally 92

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

72
/ 100
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Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 53 globally 84
Burger Menu Price
Rank 47 globally 98
Cappuccino (Cafรฉ)
Rank 26 globally 95
Local Beer (Restaurant)
Rank 189 globally 42
Local Beer Price in a Market
Rank 205 globally 36
Imported Beer Price in a Market
Rank 212 globally 33
Cocktail (Bar)
Rank 139 globally 67
Mid-Range Wine Bottle Price
Rank 144 globally 58
Soft Drink Price in a Market
Rank 29 globally 97

Mobility Costs

7 indicators

81
/ 100
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Transit Cost
Rank 5 globally 98
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 46 globally 76
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 37 globally 92
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 8 globally 99
Car Purchase Index
Rank 153 globally 1
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 40 globally 97
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 36 globally 96
79
/ 100
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Internet Cost
Rank 55 globally 75
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 65 globally 78
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 61 globally 90
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 81 globally 91
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 113 globally 63

Personal Services

4 indicators

94
/ 100
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Haircut Cost
Rank 44 globally 90
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 23 globally 98
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 19 globally 95
Local Services Cost
Rank 36 globally 92
๐Ÿ—๏ธ Infrastructure ShowHide
10
/ 100
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Logistics Performance
Rank 188 globally 10
Rail Network Density
Rank 100 globally 15
Airport Connectivity
Rank 227 globally 5
Port Connectivity
Rank 152 globally 12
48
/ 100
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Road Quality
Rank 220 globally 17
Traffic Congestion
Rank 9 globally 84
Road Density
Rank 198 globally 44
Traffic Deaths
Rank 40 globally 88
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 199 globally 2

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

49
/ 100
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Power Outages
Rank 157 globally 70
Electrification Rate
Rank 189 globally 50
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 138 globally 30
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 151 globally 21
CO2 Intensity
Rank 176 globally 28
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
30
/ 100
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Broadband Speed
Rank 155 globally 38
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 136 globally 25
Mobile Speed
Rank 168 globally 39
5G Coverage
Rank 140 globally 5

Public Transport

4 indicators

17
/ 100
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Transit Coverage
Rank 227 globally 8
Transit Punctuality
Rank 224 globally 32
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 222 globally 3
Walkability Score
Rank 227 globally 25
๐ŸŒฟ Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

47
/ 100
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Annual Working Hours
Rank 133 globally 48
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 117 globally 60
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 184 globally 45
Burnout Risk
Rank 156 globally 42
Public Holidays
Rank 193 globally 40

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

65
/ 100
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Temperature Comfort
Rank 207 globally 29
Sunshine Hours
Rank 1 globally 100
Humidity Comfort
Rank 5 globally 99
Rainy Days
Rank 2 globally 97
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 227 globally 11
Seasonal Variation
Rank 129 globally 71

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

21
/ 100
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Beach Quality
Rank 139 globally 46
Mountain Access
Rank 182 globally 15
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 221 globally 3
Biodiversity Index
Rank 223 globally 29
Forest Cover
Rank 215 globally 0

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

20
/ 100
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Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 222 globally 9
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 228 globally 16
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 229 globally 5
Recovery Time
Rank 171 globally 59

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

9
/ 100
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Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 227 globally 0
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 191 globally 0
Music & Nightlife
Rank 227 globally 10
Cinema Density
Rank 216 globally 0
Cultural Freedom
Rank 215 globally 15
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 219 globally 41
3
/ 100
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Cuisine Diversity
Rank 229 globally 0
Restaurant Density
Rank 229 globally 0
Street Food Scene
Rank 229 globally 0
Local Market Quality
Rank 229 globally 10
Cafรฉ Culture
Rank 229 globally 0
Local Freshness
Rank 229 globally 13
Local Authenticity
Rank 229 globally 0

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

38
/ 100
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Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 29 globally 98
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 118 globally 27
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 157 globally 19
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 180 globally 50
Child Safety Score
Rank 182 globally 40
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 162 globally 8
Playground Density
Rank 188 globally 22

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

38
/ 100
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Pet Entry Rules
Rank 175 globally 30
Veterinary Quality
Rank 190 globally 20
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 70 globally 68
Pet Food Prices
Rank 63 globally 65
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 186 globally 20
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 190 globally 38
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 189 globally 28
โœˆ๏ธ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
26
/ 100
ShowHide
Residence Permit Ease
Rank 218 globally 20
E-Government
Rank 216 globally 30
Visa Processing Time
Rank 208 globally 25
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 206 globally 34
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 208 globally 30
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 218 globally 12
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 207 globally 31
17
/ 100
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Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 186 globally 0
Visa Application Ease
Rank 213 globally 14
Border Openness
Rank 205 globally 0
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 217 globally 9
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 117 globally 88
27
/ 100
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Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 208 globally 17
Remote Work Legality
Rank 195 globally 38
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 171 globally 50
Remote Job Market
Rank 211 globally 30
Coworking Density
Rank 206 globally 17
Nomad Community
Rank 218 globally 8
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 214 globally 16
30
/ 100
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Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 208 globally 25
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 211 globally 26
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 189 globally 44
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 211 globally 27
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 205 globally 28
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 210 globally 34
26
/ 100
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Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 193 globally 9
Family Reunification
Rank 208 globally 23
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 203 globally 30
Residence Status Stability
Rank 209 globally 29
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 208 globally 26
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 149 globally 28
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 161 globally 80
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 13 globally 0

Language & Integration

7 indicators

32
/ 100
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English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 218 globally 14
Local Language Barrier
Rank 206 globally 28
Integration Ease
Rank 204 globally 46
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 213 globally 35
Expat Community Size
Rank 91 globally 42
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 211 globally 36
International Schools
Rank 214 globally 23
19
/ 100
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Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 213 globally 26
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 213 globally 15
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 211 globally 19
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 212 globally 14
27
/ 100
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Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 206 globally 29
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 206 globally 24
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 209 globally 27
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 207 globally 24
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 212 globally 30
๐Ÿ–๏ธ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
25
/ 100
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Hotel Quality
Rank 220 globally 22
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 205 globally 30
Accommodation Availability
Rank 226 globally 15
Booking & Transparency
Rank 205 globally 32

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

25
/ 100
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Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 225 globally 14
Digital Travel Services
Rank 190 globally 37
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 221 globally 24
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 217 globally 25
19
/ 100
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Major Attractions Density
Rank 227 globally 13
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 221 globally 23
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 229 globally 25
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 227 globally 15
32
/ 100
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Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 170 globally 45
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 210 globally 32
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 229 globally 18

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

93
/ 100
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Hotel Cost
Rank 17 globally 96
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 23 globally 96
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 41 globally 92
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 31 globally 93
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 1 globally 88
64
/ 100
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High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 174 globally 80
Off-Season Usability
Rank 218 globally 48
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 220 globally 43
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 63 globally 86
๐ŸŒ Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

26
/ 100
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Press Freedom
Rank 202 globally 25
Democracy Index
Rank 194 globally 25
Personal Freedom
Rank 219 globally 35
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 196 globally 18

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

37
/ 100
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Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 192 globally 75
PISA Score
Rank 170 globally 16
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 192 globally 12
Education Expenditure
Rank 215 globally 33
School Life Expectancy
Rank 201 globally 50
20
/ 100
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Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 160 globally 0
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 151 globally 0
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 168 globally 17
Gini Index
Rank 143 globally 51
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 162 globally 13
Housing Support Score
Rank 186 globally 18
Social Mobility Score
Rank 185 globally 24
Social Cohesion
Rank 205 globally 31
24
/ 100
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Gender Equality
Rank 212 globally 30
Womenโ€™s Rights & Equality
Rank 207 globally 28
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 211 globally 19
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 214 globally 14
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 212 globally 18

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

11
/ 100
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Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 205 globally 8
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 208 globally 12
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 206 globally 13
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 210 globally 10
Pride Culture
Rank 204 globally 9
19
/ 100
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Disability Support Score
Rank 202 globally 20
Public Accessibility
Rank 214 globally 17
Digital Accessibility
Rank 214 globally 18
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 217 globally 20

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

14
/ 100
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Religious Freedom Index
Rank 208 globally 20
Secularization Score
Rank 213 globally 10
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 221 globally 6
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 213 globally 15

Demography

10 indicators

68
/ 100
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Median Age
Rank 95 globally 65
Fertility Rate
Rank 59 globally 88
Population Growth
Rank 13 globally 76
Net Migration Rate
Rank 78 globally 53
Urbanization Rate
Rank 46 globally 85
Foreign Population Share
Rank 37 globally 79
Population Density
Rank 1 globally 100
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 220 globally 17
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 216 globally 78
Single-Person Households
Rank 156 globally 14